Research report
Differential expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor during the postnatal development of the rat cerebellar system

https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-328X(93)90065-WGet rights and content

Abstract

The spatio-temporal pattern of expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) genes was analyzed in the postnatal developing cerebellar system of the rat by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Different ontogenetic patterns of expression were observed for these three genes. In agreement with previously published results (Neuron, 5 (1990) 501–509; Dev. Brain Res., 55 (1990) 288–292) we found that NT3 and LNGFR mRNA peaked early, during the first 2 postnatal weeks, whereas BDNF mRNA peaked later, around postnatal day 20, in the cerebellar cortex. High levels of NT3 mRNA were found in the internal granule cell layer as early as postnatal day 5. NT3 mRNA was also present in the external-premigratory granule cell layer at postnatal day 10. From postnatal day 5 on, LNGFR mRNA was present in the proliferative area of the external granule cell layer and in the Purkinje cells. NT3 mRNA level decreased and BDNF mRNA increased in granule cells concomitantly with their migration and maturation, suggesting a sequential stimulation of these two genes during this developmental process. LNGFR mRNA levels decreased along the same period. Although practically undetectable in the cerebellar granule cell layer in the first two postnatal weeks, BDNF mRNA was transiently expressed in the deep cerebellar nuclei during this time and it was very abundant in the inferior olivary system from postnatal day 5 on. LNGFR mRNA was transiently expressed in the inferior olivary system, in the first postnatal week. These data are discussed in relation to the coordinated postnatal maturation of the different cells of the cerebellar system. Our results are compatible with a local delivery and role of NT3 in the early postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex. Its presence may be involved in the process of granule cell migration and/or the establishment of early synaptic contacts. BDNF, on the contrary, could play a role at a later stage, perhaps as a maintenance factor.

References (47)

  • R.M. Lindsay et al.

    Placode and neural-crest derived sensory neurons are responsive at early developmental stages to brain-derived neurotrophic factor

    Dev. Biol.

    (1985)
  • B. Lu et al.

    Expression of NGF and NGF receptor mRNA in the developing brain: evidence for local delivery and action of NGF

    Exp. Neurol.

    (1989)
  • P.C. Maisonpierre et al.

    NT-3, BDNF, and NGF in the developing rat nervous system: parallel as well as reciprocal patterns of expression

    Neuron

    (1990)
  • E.P. Pioro et al.

    Purkinje cells of adult rat cerebelum express nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity: light microscopic observations

    Brain Res.

    (1988)
  • N. Rocamora et al.

    Limbic seizures induce a differential regulation of the expression of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3, in the rat hippocampus

    Mol. Brain Res.

    (1992)
  • A. Rodriguez-Tébar et al.

    Binding of brain-derived neurotrophic factor to the nerve growth factor receptor

    Neuron

    (1990)
  • A. Wanaka et al.

    Developmental study of nerve growth factor receptor mRNA expression in the postnatal rat cerebellum

    Dev. Brain Res.

    (1990)
  • J. Altman

    Morphological development of the rat cerebellum and some of its mechanisms

  • Y.-A. Barde et al.

    Purification of a new neurotrophic factor from mammalian brain

    EMBO J.

    (1982)
  • S.A. Bayer

    Development of the hippocampal region in the rat. I. Neurogenesis examined with 3H-thymidine autoradiography

    J. Comp. Neurol.

    (1980)
  • M. Camps et al.

    Autoradiographic localization of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the brain of several mammalian species

    J. Neural Transm.

    (1990)
  • V. Chan-Palay et al.

    Sagital organization of olivocerebellar and reticulocerebellar projections: autoradiographic studies with 35S-methionine

    Exp. Brain Res.

    (1977)
  • S. Cohen-Cory et al.

    NGF and excitatory neurotransmitter regulate survival and morphogenesis of cultured cerebellar purkinge cells

    J. Neurosci.

    (1991)
  • Cited by (0)

    Present address: Cellular Biology Unit, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08071-Barcelona, Spain.

    View full text